A post in Incidents got me thinking about followup we do on injuries, particularly with students.

I know that the one time I had a student fairly seriously injured, I didn't follow up as well as I might have. I was chicken. I hope I'd do better now, but it's not easy.

Should that be part of instructor training, or S&TA's job description?

If you think about what could be learned from following up with people who survived, it makes sense. And if you consider that a student (particularlaly a student) who is followed up with in a way that makes it clear the DZ is interested in the student might just be a little less likely to think that someone (i.e. not him) must be responsible, it seems like a no-brainer.

But I know I was chicken at the time. And maybe having walked through a scenario would have made it better.

I think something like this would be a good idea. A good friend of mine had an accident and said that for the first 2 weeks lots of people sent cards and flowers etc to him, but it all dropped off after that. We had got into a habit of a 'Monday night phone call' where I would fill him in on what had been going on at the dz, general gossip etc and was amazed that so many 'friends' appeared to have not continued to keep in touch.

For a student, who may not know that many people on a DZ it could be even worse as they don't even get the flower/cards etc in the first 2 weeks!

Would be very interested to hear about DZs that do something in this situation and what it is.

I know at some of the larger DZs it would be a pain in the ass, but I think it is a great idea. It could be split up between staff members and would go a long way toward building good will for the DZ. jmho Sparky

I think that is a cool idea. I know several people asked about me after I had a minor knee injury (totally my fault) at the end of my AFF training/first solo jump.Mostly it'd just be a passing "hey hows the knee?" if I happen to be at the DZ.It would be very cool to see some type of plan put into effect to help jumpers, especially students and low jumpers, to cope with an injury and its effects on their jumping (maybe help with any fear or concerns they have about jumping again once they are healed?Even a support "sit down and discuss it" type thing to help with mental/emotional fears/hangups they might be having now.)Its surprising how far a little peer support and understanding goes.

If you think about what could be learned from following up with people who survived, it makes sense

I have no idea as to where responsibility lies with this ... probably is not delineated anywhere (I'd think the S&TA would ramrod it) ... but I think it's a great idea! Sort of a "local" incident reports kinda thing so you get firsthand discussion of incidents with other local jumpers. I like it!! Most DZ's have websites now ... it could easily be done online too (lots of forum software is available for free).

I agree with the others about the goodwill generated by following up on injuries too ... sure couldn't hurt a dz.

Most DZ's have websites now ... it could easily be done online too (lots of forum software is available for free).

Not sure that's such a good idea unless you can prevent whuffos from looking at it. It could put off potential students or lead to sensationalism by whuffo journalists in the area. That's what encouraged HH to change the viewing options on the incidents forum here.